Chart-topping star Sam Smith has landed a Brit Award after being named the winner of the Critics' Choice prize for next year's ceremony.

The 21-year-old singer follows in the footsteps of past winners such as Adele and Jessie J in collecting the award, which recognises a tip for the top in the coming months.

Smith already has a number one under his belt after his vocals were featured on Naughty Boy hit La La La, and he has also recorded with Disclosure, as well as releasing his first EP in his own right this year.

He was up against Ella Eyre and Chloe Howl on the shortlist of three for this year's prize and is only the second male winner since the inaugural Critics' Choice award in 2008, following last year's trophy for Tom Odell.

Smith will be a guest at the ceremony for the Brit Awards 2014 with MasterCard which takes place on February 19 at London's O2 Arena.

And he will collect his award at an event to launch the nominations of the other award categories on January 9 which is being broadcast by ITV and hosted by Radio 1 presenter Nick Grimshaw.

The award is chosen by a team of music writers and figures from music radio stations, who sifted through in excess of 100 artists.

Smith's song Nirvana will be included on a Critics' Choice compilation album to be released by Universal Music on January 6, featuring all the artists shortlisted over the years.